Automatic switch construction



Feb, 15 19490 (J, gcH Z 2,461,84

AUTOMATIC SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 4 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENr012. W/zmM 0. 5 0/01 rz A77 ENC X Feb. 15 1949.,

W. SCHULTZ AUTOMATIC SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 4, 1943 3Sheets-Sheet 2 lNl 'ENTOR. Mum/24 0. 50/01 rz BY QAQLM-Qa Feb. 15, 1949,w. 0. SCHULTZ AUTOMATIC SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 4, 1943 1N VENTOR. [Val/AM 0. Jam/1 72 /7 77'0fiA/E Y.

I mm-mlmm I'un Patented Feb. 15, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEAUTOMATIC SWITCH CONSTRUCTION William 0. Schultz, South Milwaukee, Wis.,assignor to Line Material Company, South Milwaukee, Wis., a corporationof Delaware Application September 4, 1943, Serial No. 501,227

2 Claims. (Cl. 200-146) This invention relates to an automatic switchconstruction.

Objects of this invention are to provide a switch construction of therepeating type which is adapted to open under load, which is springoperated and is adapted to execute a number of operations before thespring needs rewinding, and which is controlled by condition responsivemeans, such as overload trip means, and is provided with a time delaymechanism, the time delay mechanism causing a delay before the switch isautomatically again closed so that if the fault has cleared during thisinterval, the switch will remain closed but if the fault has notcleared, the switch will again be automatically opened, the device beingprovided with lockout means to lock the switch in open position after apredetermined number of operations.

Further objects are to provide means for rewinding the spring meansthrough the use of an insulating switch stick so that the lineman willnot be exposed to any danger of injury although the device may be usedon high voltage distribution systems.

Further objects are to provide a switch construction in which crankmeans are provided which always rotates in the same direction when theswitch operates, such crank means being operatively connected to a mainmovable contact means, and in which quick motion auxiliary movablecontact means is provided which is reciprocable into a stationaryinsulating tube after the main movable contact means has moved to openposition to thereby cause the final arc to be drawn into the tube andextinguished.

Further objects are to provide indicating means which will indicate thecondition or state of the mechanism particularly with reference to thenumber of operations still remaining before the switch is locked out inopen position, and to provide rewinding means of the ratchet type whichduring the initial portion of its rewinding operation causes the switchto automatically close and thereafter to open in the event the faultpersists or to remain closed in the event the fault has cleared.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the automatic switch.

Figure 2 is a front view of the automatic switch with parts broken awayand parts in section.

Figure 3 is an enlarged view corresponding to Figure 1 with parts brokenaway and parts in section.

Cir

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view on the line 55 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view on the line 6--6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view, partly broken away, on the line 1-1of Figure 2.

The automatic switch comprises a supporting portion I which has a pairof insulators 2 and 3 projecting therefrom. The insulator 2 carries thestationary contact 4 which is provided with a terminal portion 5. Thisstationary contact 4 consists of a downwardly flaring conical caplikemember whose inner surface is the contact surface against which theconical main movable contact 6 is adapted to normally seat to thusprovide good current carrying contact surfaces. The stationary contactalso includes a movable auxiliary contact consisting of a cylindricalportion 1 terminating in a head 8 adapted to be engaged by the upper endof the rod or auxiliary movable contact 9 when the switch is closed. Theauxiliary stationary contact 8 is movably carried by the main stationarycontact 4 and is sp urged downwardly by means of the spring 10, itsdownward motion being limited by means of the screw ll threaded into thecylindrical portion 1.

The lower insulator 3 carries a bracket l2 which in turn rigidlysupports an insulating tube I3 within which the plunger or auxiliarymovable contact 9 is slidably mounted and into which the plunger 9 isadapted to be suddenly withdrawn after the main movable contact 5 hasbeen withdrawn from the stationary contact 4, as will hereinafterappear, so that the final arc is established between the auxiliarystationary contact 8 and the rod 9 and is drawn into and extinguishedwithin the insulating tube l3. This tube I3 is preferably formed of aBakelite body portion with a fiber lining. It is well known that whenthe fiber lining is subjected to the heat of the are, it evolves adeionizing gas which assists in quickly extinguishing the arc.

The main movable contact 6 is integral with a half shell-like portion [4which in turn is integral with a downwardly extending tubular portionIS. The tubular portion I5 is guided by means of the guiding portions l6of the bracket l2 and is also guided against lateral thrust to the rightof the member I4 by means of the collarlike portion I! which is integralwith the bracket [2 and which rigidly carries the stationary insulatingtube l3. It is to be noted that the main movable contact 6 is asleeve-like member and is 'guidedby the insulating able guiding meansmay be provided.v

' 1 The plunger or rod 9 extends downwardlyinto the tube l5 a'ndisprovided with a latching coltube l 3.

lar l8 .beneath which a latching member I9 is normallypositioned, thelatching member being pivoted on the bracket bymeans of the pivot pin 29and being urged in a counterclockwise direction by means of the spring2!; The latching collar i8 is provided with a beveled upper portion andwith a cylindrical lower portion 22 which seats on the intermediatetransverse apertured web 23 located between the shell-like portion 14and the tubular portion l5.

It is to be noted that the slidable member composed of the parts 6, l4and. I5 is provided with a projecting shoulder 24 which rides on theinner cam or slanting surface 25 of the latching lever Hi. The lower endof the rod 9 is provided with a head 25 against which a compressionspring 21 bears. It is to be noted that when the main movable contact 6is moved downwardly by means hereinafter to be described, the spring 21is compressed and after the main movable contact 6 has moved away fromthe stationary contact 4, the shouldered portion 24 will move thelatching lever iii to the right and release the plunger 9. The plunger,under the infiuenceoi the spring 2'! will quickly descend and withdrawits upper end into the insulating tube l3 and the final arc will beextinguished within the tube.

It is preferable to have the spring 21 under initial compression whenthe switch is closed though it is to be understood that the spring 21may be free from compression initially.

The means for reciprocating the movable contact consists of a crankformed of the crank pin 28 carried by the disk 29, such disk beingrigidly mounted on the shaft 39. The crank pin 28 is connected to thereciprocating member 6, l4, l5 by means of the connecting link 3|. Theshaft 30 is provided with a flattened portion to which work innerportion such as spokes or similar 4 structure. If desired any othersuitable time delay means could be provided such as a paddle wheel forinstance.' The shaft 3| also carries a small gear 36 which meshes with alarger gear 31. The sleeve 34 carries a small gear 38 which mesh- Anyother suit outer end adapted to receive the terminal of an insulatingwitch stick. It is also provided with a spring pressed pawl 46 forengaging'the pins 43. v

The crank-or disk 29 is prevented from rotating by means of a springpressed pawl 47, see Figure 3, which seats against the shoulderedportion of a notch 48. The pawl is pivotally carried on the pivotpin 49which in turn is carried by the bracket l2. The pawl is urged in acounterclockwise direction by means of the spring 50.

It is provided with an outwardly extending arm 52 which is adapted to bepushed upwardly by a condition responsive device, such for example asthe magnetically operated over-load device show. I

This overload device comprises a solenoid indicated generally at 53 anda plunger 54 which is adapted to be moved upwardly upon the flow ofexcessive current through'the solenoid to thus release the latchingmember 41 and allow the crank to r0tate.If desired, the solenoid may beformed with insulating upper and lower portions and an insulating outershell. It is held by means of a clamp 55 secured to a bracket 56 carriedby the lower portion of an insulator 51 rigidly at-.

, may freely reciprocate past the bracket without one end of a helicalspring or power storing means 1 contacting the bracket. The other end ofthe solenoid 55 is connected by means of a flexible leader 59 with themain movable contact.

The operation oi the apparatus is as follows: When an overload occurs,the latch 47 is moved to released position and the crank is rotated'bymeans of the spring 32, thus first moving the main movable contact 6downwardly and out of engagement with the stationary contact 4. Afterthe movable contact has moved down a predetermined distance, thelatching lever I 9 is tripped and the plunger 9 is suddenly drawndownwardly into the tube l3, thus extinguishing the final are within thetube. to rotate and again closes the circuit, the parts arriving at theposition shown in Figure 3. If the fault has cleared, the latching lever41 will arrest further motion of the crank. Upon the es with a largergear 39 mounted adjacent the gear 31. The gears 31 and 39 are looselymounted on a supporting pin 40 which is rigidly carried by the bracketl2.

The sleeve 34 is provided with a small gear 4| which meshes with a largewinding gear 42, The winding gear is also loosely mounted on the pin'49. The winding gear'is provided with a plurality tation and throughthe medium of the small gear I ,4lcorrespondingly prevents the drum33from reverse rotation. Winding means in the form of a winding lever 44is loosely mounted on the pin 49 andis providedwith an apertured oreyeleted closing stroke it is apparent that the-shouldered cylindricalportion 22 of the latching collar is rests upon the transverse web 23and the auxiliary contact or plunger 9 is restored to its initialposition and the latch lever l9 moves back to its latching position asshown in Figure 3. It is to be noted that there is a slight compressionof the spring NJ as the auxiliary stationary contact 8 is moved upwardlya slight distance by the rod 9. The spring in maintains'a pressurecontact between the upper end of the rod 9 and the auxiliary stationarycontact.

The time delay means, such as the flywheel 35 or if desired a paddlewheel or any other time delay means, causesa certain delaybetween theopening of the automatic switch and the closing thereof. Frequently thefault on the line clears during this interval and the switch remainsclosed. Howevenif the fault persists, the switch executes a second cycleof operations and if the fault has not cleared during the second cycleof operations, the switch continues opening and closing until theapparatus has executed all of The crank continues with a window 63.

the operations for which it is designed. After execution of thepredetermined ,number of operations, the switch is locked in openposition, as will appear hereinafter.

In order to both lock the switch in its final open position and also toprovide indicating means to show the number of operations stillremaining to be performed, the gear 31 is provided with an arcuategroove 60, see Figures 2 and 7, and the gear 39 is provided with a pin6| designed to travel within the slot 60. In addition to this, the gear39 is provided with a series of numerals 1 to 5 in the form chosen forillustration and with the indicium Lock as indicated at 62 in Figure 7,and the gear 31 is provided When the device is fully wound and has notexecuted any operations, the window 63 is opposite the numeral 5 asshown in Figure 7. When the crank executes one rotation, the gear 36drives the gear 31 to the position where the window is opposite thenumeral 4 and thus 4 indicates the number of remaining operations thatthe device can perform.

During the time the crank is rotating, the drum 33, the sleeve 34 andthe gear 38 are held stationary. Consequently the gear 39 is heldstationary. The gear 3! travels in a clockwise direction as indicated bythe arrow in Figure '7. The crank can execute five operations in theform shown and if it continues to rotate; the slot 60 will have moved sothat the pin 6| engages the other end of the slot from the end it isshown in engagement with in Figure 7 and consequently arrests furtherrotation of the crank. This position is chosen so that the switch islocked in switch open position and the window 63 is opposite theindicium Lock."

It is necessary for the device to be rewound before it will again beplaced in operation. This is accomplished by the lineman engaging hisinsulated switch stick in the eyelet 45 of the winding lever 44 androcking this lever back and forth downwardly and upwardly. As he rocksthe lever, the pawl 46 successively engages the pins 43 and rotates thegear 42, thus rotating the gear 4| and the drum 33 and winding thespring 32. In view of the fact that the gear 38 is rigid with the sleeve34, such gear will rotate and will in turn cause the gear 39 to rotate.This winding continues until the gears 42 and 39, which have the sameratios with respect to their pinions 4| and 38, have made one completerevolution and the parts are in the position shown in Figures 2 and '7.

The parts are so proportioned that when the lever 44 is moveddownwardly, it will move two of the pins 43 past the pawl 44. Twosuccessive spaces between the pins 43 correspond to one completerevolution of the crank. Consequently at the first down stroke of thelever 44, the crank will immediately close the switch and if there is nofault, the switch will remain closed. On the other hand, if there is afault, the switch will immediately open.

Assuming that there is no fault, the winding handle 44 or winding leveris rocked back and forth and the spring 32 is completely rewound, thepin 6| traveling during this time within the slot 60 and arriving at theposition shown in Figure 7 and stopping further winding operations, thusprotecting the spring against over winding.

It is to be noted that in the form chosen for illustration the device isdesigned for five operations and ten pins 43 are provided.

Other condition responsive means could be 6 employed in place of theoverload solenoid if so desired, or other tripping means could beemployed.

It is to be noted that the insulating tube I3 is held rigidly by thebracket l2 and is at all times spaced from the stationary contact 4. Itis also to be noted that the stationary contact 4 forms a hood or shieldwhich always shields and protects the upper end of the tube 13 from theentrance of water or snow. In addition to this, the upper invertedconical stationary contact 4 acts as a shield for the normal position ofthe movable main and auxiliary contacts. It is to be noted further thatthe spring 21 is housed within the tubular portion 15 of the movablemember.

It will be seen that a repeating automatic switch construction has beenprovided which is designed to open under load and to immediatelyextinguish the resulting arc to protect the parts against damage. Itwill be seen further that the device is relatively simple and does notrequire any particular skill on the part of a lineman as all he isrequired to do is to rock the winding lever 44 back and forth by meansof a switch stick. The device is fully automatic in its action and evenif the lineman attempts to rewind the device while the fault stillpersists, the switch will automatically open as described hereinabove.It frequently happens that on distribution systems the faults are ofrelatively short duration and thus it will be seen that this device iseminently suited to fulfill the needs of such systems as it willimmediately open the circuit when the fault occurs and will provide apredetermined time delay before again closing the circuit. It will beseen, however, that if the fault is permanent, the device willultimately lock itself in switch open position.

Although this invention has been described in considerable detail, it isto be understood that such description is intended as illustrativerather than limiting, as the invention may be variously embodied and isto be interpreted as claimed.

I claim:

1. A switch construction adapted to open under load comprising astationary insulating tube, a stationary contact, a main movable contactand an auxiliary movable contact adapted to engage and disengage saidstationary contact, said auxiliary movable contact consisting of aplunger within said tube, said main movable contact consisting of asleeve-like member guided by said tube and located exteriorly of saidtube, spring means for drawing said plunger into said tube away fromsaid stationary contact, latch means normally preventing motion of saidplunger, mechanism for moving said main contact into and out ofengagement with said stationary contact, and tripping means for trippingsaid latch means on movement of said main movable contact to openposition.

2. A switch construction adapted to open under load comprising aninsulating tube, a stationary contact, a main movable contact and anauxiliary movable contact adapted to engage and disengage saidstationary contact, said stationary contact having yielding meanscoacting with said auxiliary movable contact, said auxiliary movablecontact consisting of a plunger within said tube, said main movable'contact consisting of a sleeve-like member guided by said tube andlocated exteriorly of said tube, spring means for drawing said plungerinto said tube away from said stationary contact, latch means normallypreventing motion of said plunger, mechanism 9,401,846 7 n 8 for movingsaid main contact into and out or Number Name Date engagement with saidstationary contact, and 1,028,993 Cheney June 11, 1912 means fortripping said latch means when said 7 1,315,839 Hain Sept. 9, 1919 mainmovable contact is moved away from said 1,640,177 Bishop et a]. Aug. 23,1927 stationary contact. 5 1,799,985 McCoy Apr. 7, 1931 WILLIAMO.SCHULTZ. 2,286,131 Wallace et 8.1. .-June 9, 1942 2,311,714 Thompsonet a1. 4... Feb. 23, 1943 REFERENCES CITED 2.3211122 Birkenmaier et a1.June 8.1943 t cor in t 2,323,241 Richardson et a1. June 29', 1943 g;,}':,,f a o re 10 2,824,891 Thumim July 20,1943 UNITED STATES PATENTS2,844,113 Schultz Mar. 14, .1944

FOREIGN PATENTS Number Name Date I I 508,652 Thomson 1 Nov. 14, 1893Number ry 1 Date 7 2,552 Hewlett Feb. 16, 1904 15 Germany July 2 1889

